Bail wat switch stand



lG. ALKINS. RAILWAY SWITCH STAND.

No. 400,818. PatemedApr. 2, 1888.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 o. ALKINS.

RAILWAY SWITCH STAND,

Patented Apr. 2, 1889.

f Jy @m/@ (No Model.) s-sheets-sheen s.

C. ALKINS. RAILWAY SWITCH STAND.

*N0. 400,816. Patented Apr. 2,'1889IV UNITED STATES PATENT CEEICE.

CHARLES ALKINS, OF

MUSKEGCN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNCR TO IIENRIETTA ALKINS, CF SAME PLACE.

RAI LWAY-SWITCH STAN D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 400,816, dated April 2, 1889.

Application filed April 28, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES ALK1Ns,a citizen of the United States, residing at Muskegon, in the county of Muskegon and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Switch Stands, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices of that class commonly known as switch-stands for railway-service, and usually involving as an adjunct to means for operatin g the switch a suitable signal device, which serves to indicate the position of the switch.

Certain objects of my invention are to provide a simple, reliable, and economical construction, capable of quick action and great power, but adapted for ready and easy automatic operation; to bring the component parts of the mechanism within a comparatively limited eld of action, so as to permit the same to be located either between tracks or at points where but little available space foil operation is afforded alongside the track, and to provide certain improved details of construction, all serving to promote the general efficiency of the operative members of a switch or switch and signal stand.

In the drawings, Figure l represents in perspective a switch-stand embodying` my invention and connected with an ordinary split switch. Fig. 2 represents the switch-stand partly in section and partly in elevation, the line of section being first on a vertical plane taken transversely through the pivot for the upper lever, B, but at one side of the latter, and then transferred to a vertical plane centrally through the lower lever, C, whereby the upper lever is shown in elevation and the lower lever in section. In said figure each lever is shown in full lines at one eXtreme of its movement, the dotted lines serving to indicate the movements of the levers from such positions. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section taken centrally through the switch-stand on a plane at right angles to the plane of Fig. 2. Fig. et represents the switch-stand in perspective. Fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement of the switch-stand between tracks, the upper part of the switch-stand device being removed by a section taken horizontally through the switch- Serial No. 272,200. (No model.)

stand on a plane just above the lower end of the pendent arm c of lever C.

In Fig. l of said drawings I have illustrated my invention embodied in a switch-stand arranged for service in connection with an ordinary construction of split switch. It is, however, distinctly understood that my invention is equally applicable to other ordinary or suit-able constructions of switches, all of which are commonly classed as either split or stub switches. The frame portion A of the switchstand can be provided with any suitable fulcral supports for the two members or levers Band C of the compound switch-lever. The lever B is provided with a suitable handle, l), which can be either removably fitted in a socketor made in one piece with the remaining portion of the lever, as may be preferred. The lever C is connected with the switch through the medium of a switch-rod, D, or any other like or suit-able connection through which the transferment of power from one to the other can be effected.

As a simple, reliable, and efficient connection between the two levers, said levers are gear-connected, to which end the lower short arm of lever B is provided with a gear, t', arranged to engage a similar gear, c, with which the lever C is equipped. The lever C is also provided with an arm, c', to which the switchrod is connected, the preferred arrangement being to arrange the arm c below and the gear c above the fulcrum or pivotal center about which the lever C has its vibrating motion. In this way the pendent arm to which the switch-rod is connected may represent a lon g arm of the lever C, while t-he length of its upper short arm may be represented by the distance between its pivotal center or fulcrum and the end of anyone of its gear-teeth. By this arrangement of compound lever an exceedingly powerful and quick-actin g device is provided for operatin g the switch, while at the same time for automatic switching a perfectly free action of the component parts of 95- the compound leverv is insured, since while the leverage obtained by operating the long handle of the lever B permits the attendant to shift the switch with ease, the automatic shift of the switch by a moving train per- Ioo mits the switch-rod to exert a pull upon the long arm c of the lever C, and hence easily operate the compound lever. The pendent arm of the lever C also permits the switchrod to be conveniently connected either directly or indirectly with said pendent arm of the compound lever, and also permits the stand to be arranged so that its compound lever may vibrate in a plane either parallel with or at right angles to the track, it being observed that while in Fig. l the compound lever vibrates in a plane at right angles to the length of track the stand is in Fig. 5 shown arranged to permit said lever to vibrate in a plane parallel with the track, whereby the switch-stand can, where found desirable, be arranged in the somewhat limited space between two tracks.

To appreciate the adaptability of the switchstand for such arrangement, it may be observed that it sometimes happens that a wall, building', or other obstruction prevents the location of the switch-stand at one side of a double track-for example, at the side G. In such case the construction and arrangement of switclrstand now in use have necessitated the location of the switch-stand at vthe opposite side of the track, as at the side l-I, in which case the switch-rod must cross the line of track 72,. Should, therefore, cars be standing on the track h, a switchman must climb over such cars to pass from the switch q to a switch-stand at the side H. In said Fig. 5, however, I have shown my im,- proved switch-stand arranged between the tracks, with its compound lever arranged to swing parallel with the same, in which case the pendent arm c of the lever C can obviously be connected with the switch-rod by a bell-crank, cl, and link d', or other suitable connection adapted to change the direction of the transmission of power. It will also be noted that where space is comparatively limited at either side of either a single or double track the stand can be arranged so that the compound lever can swing in a plane parallel with the track, since by providing the two levers B and C, as hereinbefore set forth, only a limited sweep or throw of the lever B will be necessary for switching.

The foregoing arrangement also permits the ready automatic restoration of the switch by a weight, and to the attainment of such end the lever C is adapted to carry a weight at either side of its fulcral point. The lever C is therefore herein shown provided with two sockets, c2, each capable of receiving a bar, E, which is adapted to be suitably weighted, and which is by preference detachably secured in one or the other of said sockets and equipped with an adjustable weight, e. The lever C could of course be provided with arms adapted for the reception of a removable weight and made either integral with or otherwise arranged as permanent fixtures upon the lever C at points intermediate of its upper and lower arms; but as a preferred way the arm or bar for the weight is detachably secured in one of a couple of sockets, whereby it can be readily transferred from one to the other, according to the service required, orbe entirely freed from the lever C in instances where its presence is not necessary.

While for certain purposes of this invention the pivot b2 for the hand-lever could be rigid therewith and extended at one end, so as to carry a gear arranged to engage a like gear upon a vertically-disposed rotary signalrod, as in cases where a single lever has been employed, I propose as a matter of further improvement to provide one of the arlns of lever B with a bevel gear-segment, B', arranged to engage a bevel-gear or gear-segment, f, that is secured upon the rotary signal-rod, F. The signal-rod is in such case necessarily arranged alongside the hand-lever, whereby when the hand-lever is swung either way it lnay operate the signal-rod.

Vith regard to certain details shown in the drawings the lever B is, for the sake of econonly and simplicity, preferably cast in one piece with its toothed end portion, which lat ter maybe somewhat widened, so that the lever in effect is provided at one end with a segmentgear. The said lever is also desirably formed so as to provide it with a hub portion or bosses, b3, which provide extended bearings for the pin L2, which latter is held at its ends in bearings in the sides a ot' the frame A, whereby the lever may turn upon such pin. This arrangement will be found preferable, since if the pivots were formed by journals east in one piece with the lever the sides t of the frame could not be cast in one piece with the base of the frame, which, for the sake of economy, simplicity, and durability, I may form in one casting. The arrangement herein illustrated of the segment-gear upon the lever B also avoids the necessity of either casting the pin in one piece with or keying it in the lever B, as would have to be done in ease a gear on the signal-rod gear should be engaged by a gear upon the said pivot.

The lever C and its adjuncts may be, and preferably are, cast in one piece, it being obvious that while the lever with its pendent arm c', gearsegment c, and a suitable hub portion, c3, can be economically cast in one piece the sockets c2 can likewise be cast in one piece with the lever. The lever C may, like the lever B, be provided with a suitable hub portion or bosses, c3, for the pivot c4, Fig. 3, and may have its toothed portion shaped as a segment-gear in correspond eneewith the segment-gear of the lever B. By such arrangement it will be seen that the stand can be, if so desired, made in one piece, the lever B and its adjuncts in another single piece, and the lever C with its sockets in another single piece, thereby permitting the economical production of a simple, durable, and eticient construction, it being understood, however, that I do not limit myself to such precise construe` tion.

IOO

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While any suitable construction of locking device can be employed for locking the compound lever, the same can be locked by the simple expedient of a pin introduced into one of the two holes b4, (herein shown formed in the lower end or short arm, b', of the lever B,) it being seen that when said leverv is at either end of its throw the pin can be introduced into one of the holes, so as to cross an edge of one or-both of the sides of the frame or enter a hole in either or both of said sides, which can obviously be widened for such purpose. lVhen so desired, the compound lever can therefore be readily locked, so as to hold the switch in one position as long as may be desired. On the other hand, the compoundlever can be unlocked and either worked by hand or permitted to work automatically. Where the weighted arm is arranged as in Fig. 2, for example, the weight will maintain the compound lever normally in the position shown in said figure, wherein the weight is at one side of the stand, while the lever B is thrown over to the opposite side thereof, it being evident that to apply the weight to the opposite side would serve to throw the lever to the side whereat the weight is shown in said figure. The position of the pendent leverarm to which the switch-rod is attached may therefore be controlled either by the weight or by the leverB, since while the weight will control the posit-ion of the switch so long as the lever B is free, said lever may be controlled by'an attendant or locked in such position as .it may have been placed either by the weight or by the switchman. The compound lever should swing in a vertical plane, and its two component members should turn about horizontal axes, whereby the best result from the weight is obtain ed and the handle portion of lever B placed in position convenient for the switchman. The foregoing arrangement of levers B and C also permits the throw of the switch to, but not beyond, a determinate limit, it being seen that the throw of lever B to either side is positively limited by the contact of one of the ends or portions of its segmental toothed part with one of thearms, or socketed arms c2, or with end portions of the segment-gear c of the lever C, and to such end the toothed segment portion of the lever B is at each end of its line of gear-teeth provided with an untoothed portion forming a stop, b5, which stops may engage one and the other of like stops at the ends of the gear-teeth of the lever C, or simply engage the socketed arms or socket portions of said lever.

The signal-rod is herein shown provided with an ordinary signal-arrow, but is understood to be adapted in practice for either a lantern or any other suitable signal devices that may be employed.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications of details could be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and hence while I have shown and with the switch-rod, and the third arm being the one which is weighted and which can be made of any desired length, so th at the Weight can be shifted with reference to the Work. The two levers are also so balanced as to render operation extremely easy, and hence the weight, when used, will readily operate the compound lever, and hence operate the switch.

It will also be observed that by providing between the compound lever and the signalrod a suitable connection, whereby the action of the compound lever will operate the signalrod, the signal can be set by operating the upper hand-lever, or it can be set and controlled automatically by the weighted arm on the lower lever.

, What I claim as my invention isl. In a railway-switch stand, a compound lever for the purpose described, comprising, in combination, a ,pivotally-supported handlever and a separately-pivoted lever engaged by said hand-lever and provid ed with an arm, E, adapted to carry a weight, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the hand-lever B and the lever C, carrying a weighted arm, and gear connected with said hand-lever, for the purpose described.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with the hand-lever, of the lever C, for the purpose set forth, provided with one or more sockets adapted to receive a bar or arm, for the purpose described.

4. A railway-switch stand comprising a compound lever having as one of its elements the vibratory lever C, carrying a weighted arm, and as another element the separatelypivoted hand-lever B, pivoted above said weighted lever, and gear connected with the same, a rotary signal-rod arranged alongside the switch-stand, and a connection between the said compound lever and rotary signalrod, whereby the latter can be operated by operating the hand-lever or controlled and set by the weighted arm of the lower lever, said members combined for operation substantially as described.

CHARLES ALKINS.

Witnesses:

CHAs. G; PAGE, `L. L. PAGE.

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